Politicians across parties show their support for change in law.

Two of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities, Cats Protection and Dogs Trust, have discussed reforms with MPs to make it easier for renters to keep pets.

More than 50 MPs and peers attended an event on pet-friendly housing hosted by the charities at the House of Commons on 7 June 2023, where they discussed the proposed Renters (Reform) Bill.

The legislation, which was announced by the Government in May 2023, will give renters the legal right to request permission to keep a pet, which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.

In the past year, charities have reported a record number of people giving up their pets, with the lack of pet-friendly accommodation one of the contributing factors.

Cats Protection took in around 1,300 cats last year owing to landlords not allowing them in their properties. Dogs Trust also saw a significant number of cases. Ten per cent of people calling the charity about relinquishing their pet mentioned housing as an issue.

Minister for housing and planning, Rachel Maclean, was among those who attended the event, which was sponsored by Kim Leadbeater MP. Both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party have said they want to see the law changed to make it easier for renters to keep pets.

Dogs Trust and Cats Protection have said they will continue to work with the Government to make sure that the details of the new legislation benefit both renters who want to keep pets and landlords.

Cats Protection’s head of advocacy and government relations Madison Rogers said: “For too long, renters have been denied the chance to own a pet cat simply because they rent rather than own their home.

“These new proposals will finally give renters the chance to experience the comfort, joy and companionship that comes with owning a cat, along with the security of knowing they can feel settled in their rented home.”

James Hickman, head of outreach projects at Dogs Trust, said: “For years, we have helped pet owners find a home in the private rented sector, but sadly we still receive thousands of calls from desperate dog owners forced to hand them over because of issues with accommodation.

“We are thrilled to see such wide-spread backing for Dogs Trust and Cats Protection’s work advocating for a more pet-welcoming private rented sector and hope the new Bill will help keep pets and their owners together where they belong.”

Image (C) Cats Protection